Folding cradle



(No Model.)

0. A. FENNER. FOLDING CRADLE.

No. 244,217. Patented July 12,1881.

UNIT D STATES PATENT Onmoe.

v CHARLES A. FENNER, ()F MYSTIC RIVER, CONNECTICUT;

FOLDINGCRADLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 244,217, dated July 12, 1881.

Application filedJnne1,18B0. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES A. FENNER, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Mystic My present invention relates to the same general construction. I have improved it by adding means for holding the structure more effectually in the extended condition, and for bracing the structure against side movements of the ends, and means for better connecting the bottom lattice-work to the straight crosspieces which support the bottom. My improved structure has upright endsinstead of the flaring ones in the previous pattern.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure he a side view of my improved cradle folded compactly together. Fig. 2 is a side view of it extended. Fig. 3 is a plan, and Fig. 4 a detail detached, on a larger scale.

Similar letters of reference indicatelike parts in all the figures.

A A are the ends. I make them preferably solid, paneled, and decorated, but these points may be varied. They are rigid parts, each with a rocker, a a

B B O O are rods of wood or metal, united by pins D inserted at equidistant points, so that the lattice-work thus formed may be expanded and contracted, as will be obvious. This lattice-work B O D is attached to fixed points D D, near the bottom of each end. The

upper part of the lattice-work is attached at each end to the respective end pieces, A A by links 1? P The links are arranged as shown, so that'as the device is expanded and contracted the ends A A move apart, and together maintaining their parallel positionsin other words, they remain upright. Along the top of each side lattice, B G D, is extended a second lattice of less depth and having the joints or pins so much nearer together that when the cradle is opened, extending the lattice B O D to the moderate and proper extent, the shallower lattice will become extended to its extreme condition. The attainment of this condition may be facilitated by applying the hand to compress this shallow second lattice Vertically after it is extended. When it is fully extended the shallow lattice requires considerable force to compress it together endwise. It serves as a brace to keep the device extended; but, with a little assistance to start it, the entire structure may be collapsed readily again into its fully compacted condition. W X are the bars of this shallow lattice. Z are the pins which hold them to the upper angles of the top side lattice, B O. Y are the pins at the lower joints, which simply hold the bars W X together without fastening them to anything else. The side lattice performs a double function-it serves not only as a brace to keep the structure extended, out also has a nearly horizontal rail along the sides to form a finish and an agreeable top.

M M are cross-bearers pivoted to the lower angles of. the lattice B O at each side. It forms asupport for a mattress or other bed to be placedinside. (Notrepresented) Tothecenter of each bearer M are flexibly connected, by pins I, two sets of bars of wood or metal, forming a horizontal lattice. The other points of crossing are formed by pins J, which secure the bars G H together with freedom to turn, but free from connection with the bearers.

The bearers in my previous patent referred to were grooved longitudinally on the under side, which grooves received guide-pins from the bottom lattice and allowed them to slide out and in from the center as the structure was opened and closed. I found these grooves were objectionable in weakening the bearers, particularly at the ends, where considerable strength is required to receive the pins K, which effect the connection through the slide-lattices B O. I find, further, there is no necessity for any connection of the kind except at the end of the bearers. I have devised a substitute which does not weaken the bearers.

The bearer nearest each end is fitted within a sliding jaw N, of wood or metal, which latter is free to slide out and in thereon, and is pivoted to the adjacent angle of the horizontal IGO lattice G H. These jaws take hold with tolerable firmness on their respective bearers and prevent the structurefromcollapsingunequally at the two sides. The bottom lattice, G H, does not stop with the end bearers, but is extended and pinned at the center to a point at a corresponding lever in the respective ends A A The bars G H may be of the same length at the extreme end, but I prefer to cut them shorter, as shown, so that the end of the bottom lattice is, in effect, pointed, the center-point lever being extended to the end.

The device thus equipped is compelled to open and shut squarely, and to make a proper rectangular condition when in use.

Modifications may be made in the details. I have made the side lattice and bottom lattice of hard wood, with the pins of metal. I

' have made all the lattice-bars of hard wood,

with pins of metal. The whole may be made inner face of each end and projecting a little aboveeach end form convenient handles, but they may be omitted, if desired.

'1 claim as my invention- 1. The folding cradle or bed described, having the narrow pivoted lattice W X Y Z, in combination with the lower and broader pivoted lattice B O, the ends A A and an expansible bottom of pivoted lattice-work, adapted to serve as herein specified.

2. The herein-described folding-cradle, consisting of the ends A A, double lattice sides W X Y Z and B O, the bottom bearers, M, and

lattice G H, and sliding jaws N,,all constructed and arranged to operate as herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Mystic River, Connecticut, this 13th day of May, 1880, in the-presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES A. FENNER. Witnesses ISAAC D. OLIFT, JOHN 0. FIsH. 

